Books are a big part of my Summer nights. I need to admit that even thought the lock down is slowly being lifted, my life didn’t change a lot. I’m one of these people laughing on how the lock down rules are actually the description of my every day life and how it doesn’t really affect my daily routine.
As reading books and online book clubs stormed hard into our lives, it wasn’t really much of a difference for me. I love books just as much as I did and I reach to them just as much as usual. I can’t complaint about this ‘reading’ trend happening right now – I actually am really excited for that and I hope it stays forever.
Also, after educating myself in regards to struggles of black authors, I decided to include titles of books written by black authors in every book post, in hope that you’ll reach to them and learn a little bit more.
Here are my top 5 picks for the last month of Summer:
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Untamed, as the title suggests, and unapologetic memoir of love, acceptance and indescribably inspiring fight for freedom of Glennon Doyle. There are many titles being attached to us, whenever we want it or not. This story truly inspires to seek deep within ourselves to find out who we really want to be and to fight for it with love, passion and compassion.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
A novel by Brit Bennett telling the story of two black twin sisters, Stella and Desiree Vignes, deciding to leave their mother in hope that their lives won’t be imposed by the small town right outside New Orleans. When Stella finds out that she could go much further by presenting herself as a white woman, she decides to abandon her whole past and start new life. The book is an absolute must read, not only because it’s just genius – it’s also a beautiful way to learn about colorism and racism for people who are not big fans heavy hitting non-fiction.
The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
No matter your background, religion or wealth status, this book is for you. It’s a priceless and timeless mine of knowledge shared by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. Great leaders who became great friends for life take us through their experiences to prove, that they struggle just like us. And just like us, they search for the best solutions to these everyday struggles. I come back to it as often as needed and I think many of us need a little bit of guidance in the fast spinning world. Reading The Book of Joy brings lightness, hope and without skipping on topics as grief, anger, loneliness and sorrow.
The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
To Kill a Mockingbird, voted as on of the best novels of XX century, is the story told through the eyes of a little girl, Scout Finch. She lives with her brother, Jem, and widowed father, respected lawyer, Atticus, in a small Alabama town, Maycomb. The life of three drastically changes, when Atticus decides to defend a black man, Tom Robinson accused of raping a white woman.
The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
Incredibly moving story of determination and injustice. Memoir of Lemn Sissay, or Norman Greenwood, a teenager, who after 17 years spent in foster family and care home is handed his birth certificate. This day he learns his real name – Lemn Sissay, a boy who’s half Ethiopian and half British. He also learns that his mother was fighting and pleading for him to come back to her the whole time.
